After operating without a permanent base of operations since its formation in 1999 the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) now has the necessary funding in place to build one.
With a recent $4.4 million investment from Ottawa to aid in construction UINR now has the resources in place to begin seeking proposals from construction firms.
The total budget for their new facility is $4.8 million, with the other $427,000 will be coming from the Eskasoni and Membertou First Nations.
UINR is responsible for aquatic research and stewardship, species management, traditional Mi’kmaq knowledge, conserved and protected areas, water quality monitoring and environmental partnerships.
UINR represents the five Mi’kmaq communities in Unama’ki/Cape Breton, (Eskasoni, Membertou, Potlotek, Wagmatcook, We’koqma’q) on natural resources issues, contributing to an understanding and protection of Unama’ki’s ecosystem through research, monitoring, education, and management.
Lisa Young is the Executive Director of UINR and says a major focus of the building will be ensuring it is a ner-zero build that harnesses the natural environment. “We plan to have active solar energy collection on sight and the designs we’re seeking we hope will try and take advantage of all the natural light available to us at the site we selected in Eskasoni,” Young said.
Young also says being able to bring the entire organization will be a huge improvement from their current situation. “Right now we rent buildings in Eskasoni, with some of our staff operating in separate buildings or remotely, we’ve grown considerably since our formation with around 35 employees today, so we’re excited to soon all be working under the same roof.”.
The project is now in its design phase. Young says they are hopeful to complete that process shortly and begin construction within the year.
As for when it will open Young was unwilling to provide a firm date as she says the project will be subject to the supply chain issues with building materials that everyone else in the world is currently dealing with.
